Have you ever found yourself thinking about eating a sugary treat or salty snack, even though you know it's high in calories and fat and doesn't fit into your healthy eating plan? Then you've experienced a food craving, or a strong desire for a specific food.

Cravings are normal, and a person's mood may actually improve once the craving is satisfied. In some cases, denying the craving can intensify it, leading to a binge later on. According to the Cleveland Clinic, women are more likely than men to feel good when they give in to food cravings, and most women experience food cravings more during the premenstrual period, pregnancy, at the transition of menopause or while on restrictive weight loss diets.

So what can you do to manage your cravings? Try these tips:

• Give in - a little. Eat a small, limited amount of the food you crave. For example, try a snack-size chocolate bar or a few chocolate kisses. Savor each bite slowly and enjoy the flavor and texture of the food in your mouth.
• Send in the substitutions. Try substituting low-fat versions of your food craving. For example, if you're longing for rich, full-fat ice cream, try a low-fat, low-sugar frozen yogurt instead - the texture and temperature may satisfy your food desire.
• Eat low-fat, high-fiber carbohydrates. After you eat carbohydrates, such as starches, your brain releases serotonin, a chemical that helps to control cravings. If you find yourself with a craving, try a handful of whole-grain cereal or a baked sweet potato to control your appetite and boost serotonin levels instead of having a sugary snack.

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Sources:  Cleveland Clinic Health System, http://www.cchs.net